How to Be Lonely


"How to Be Lonely" is a song by British singer Rita Ora released as a single through Atlantic Records UK on 13 March 2020.

Composition

"How to Be Lonely" is a mid-tempo ballad that deals with themes about "battling insecurity".

Critical reception

Mike Wass of Idolator wrote that the song is a "nice way to kick off an era" that "does showcase the 'Anywhere' singer's powerful pipes and growth as an artist". Rob Copsey of the Official Charts Company wrote that the song features "opening guitar strums Coldplay-sized chantalong chorus catchy finger snaps, punchy electronic beats and some killer adlibs", concluding that Ora's "take on ugly crying powerhouse pop is masterfully done".

Music video

In the music video, directed by Dave Meyers, Ora is in an empty room alone and then alone with a lot of people. An arrow hits her. In the next scene, she is walking in a room filled with eggshells. Then, she is dancing with a skeleton and a bear hugs her. After that, she falls into the sky. Then she smashes a wall with a baseball bat. A UFO lands.

Live performances

Ora performed the song live at BBC's Sport Relief 2020 telethon on 13 March.

Track listings

Digital download / streaming
  1. "How to Be Lonely" – 2:55
Digital download / streaming - Live from London
  1. "How to Be Lonely" – 2:56
Digital download / streaming - MÖWE Remix
  1. "How to Be Lonely" – 2:54
Digital download / streaming - aboutagirl Remix
  1. "How to Be Lonely" – 3:23
Digital download / streaming - LARI LUKE Remix
  1. "How to Be Lonely" – 3:21
Digital download / streaming - Sam Feldt Remix
  1. "How to Be Lonely" – 3:11
Digital download / streaming - Bomba Estéreo Remix Remix
  1. "How to Be Lonely" – 2:50

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.
  • Rita Ora - vocals
  • Lostboy – producer
  • Tom Mann - producer, background vocals, bass, drums, guitar, keyboard, programming, synthesizer, vocal production, writer
  • aboutagirl - producer
  • Siba - additional producer
  • Amanda Merdzan - assistant engineer
  • Matt Wolach - assistant mix engineer
  • Michael Freeman - assistant mix engineer
  • Lewis Capaldi - songwriter, background vocals, guitar
  • Mark "Spike" Stent - mastering, mixing
  • Stuart Hawkes - mastering
  • Cameron Gower Pool - vocal production
  • Peter Rycroft - writer

Release history